Advice From A Pollster: Four Messages Obama Needs To Deliver

Frank Newport, editor in chief at Gallup, offers his thoughts — based on his firm's polling — about what Obama needs to do when he addresses the nation from West Point tonight about the new plan for Afghanistan. Frank recommends that Obama:

— Acknowledge that things are going badly for U.S.

— Reinforce the basic purpose of being involved in Afghanistan.

— Justify why sending more troops is necessary.

— Address issues of cost and how the escalation is going to be paid for.

Here's something to watch over the next few days as the public reacts to Obama's speech: His approval rating, in Gallup's daily "tracking" poll, has edged back above 50% (just barely, at 51% today). It had dipped as low as 48% in recent days. Which way will it go after tonight?